Gospel Singer Toluwanisings Buried in Ibadan After Weeks of Family Dispute
Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, was buried at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday morning, November 9, 2026, weeks after his death and a prolonged disagreement among family members over his final resting place.
His burial followed a funeral service at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, No. 20, Hope Road, Alakia, Ibadan, after which his remains were taken to his residence for interment in a private ceremony attended by family members.
The funeral programme indicated that the lying-in-state was scheduled for 9 am to 10 am, followed by a burial service between 10 am and 11 am.
The burial brought an end to weeks of disagreement involving the singer’s widow, Elizabeth Damilola Olayemi, and members of his paternal family over where he should be laid to rest.
The disagreement reportedly began after his father, Muniru Olayemi, opposed plans to bury the singer in a cemetery, insisting that he should instead be buried at his residence in Ibadan or beside his late mother in Ikirun, Osun State.
His uncle, Lawal Ademola Rauf, also called for the suspension of the burial arrangements pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The disagreement generated public exchanges and accusations among members of the family and associates, attracting attention on social media.
The situation subsequently attracted the intervention of the Oyo State Police Command.
On November 3, the singer’s widow, father, friends and associates signed a peace undertaking before the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to the police, the agreement required the parties to maintain peace and discontinue public exchanges, interviews and social media publications concerning the disagreement.
The police also warned that anyone whose actions constituted a criminal offence would be arrested and prosecuted.
Following the intervention, the parties reached an agreement that paved the way for the singer to be buried at his Ibadan residence.
Toluwanisings died in the early hours of Wednesday, October 14, 2026. His family announced his death in a statement shared on his social media accounts but did not initially disclose the cause.
The singer was known for his energetic worship ministrations and gospel recordings, which attracted listeners across Nigeria.
Some of his popular songs include ‘A Very Big God’, ‘Unreserved Praise’, ‘Onibuore’ and ‘Kabiyesi Olorun Ayo’.
His death attracted tributes from fans, colleagues and members of the gospel music community, who remembered him for his contributions to gospel music and Christian worship.
His burial on Monday concludes the disagreement over his final resting place, although questions previously raised by members of his paternal family concerning the circumstances surrounding his death remain separate from the resolution of the burial dispute.
